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Beta Hydroxybutyrate (3OH Butyric Acid)

3-OH Butyric acid, Beta-Hydroxybutyrate, Beta Hydroxybutyrate

Test Codes

Antrim #17077, EPIC: LAB5015, BHBT

Department

Chemistry

Specimen Collection Criteria

FOR EC AND INPATIENT SAMPLE COLLECTION ONLY:

Preferred Sample:  One Light Green (Mint) Top Plasma Separator Tube (PST)(Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL)

Acceptable Sample:  One Gold Top SST (Minimum Whole Blood:  4.0 mL)

FOR PHYSICIAN OFFICE/OUTREACH SAMPLE COLLECTION:

COLLECT:  One Gold Top SST (Minimum Whole Blood:  4.0 mL) 

Contact the Laboratory for acceptability of other tube types.  

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate (2–8°C or 36–46°F) the centrifuged SST tube within two hours of collection. (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Centrifuged SST tube, refrigerated (2–8°C or 36–46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Moderate to grossly hemolyzed specimens.
• Red-top tubes with serum not separated from cells within two hours of collection.

In-Lab Processing

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes. Centrifuge SST tubes or Microtainers^® to separate serum from cells. Deliver immediately to the appropriate testing station.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers^® with Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20–26°C or 68–78.8°F): 2–4 hours
Refrigerated (2–8°C or 36–46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers^® without Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20–26°C or 68–78.8°F): 2–4 hours
Refrigerated (2–8°C or 36–46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20–26°C or 68–78.8°F): 2–4 hours
Refrigerated (2–8°C or 36–46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 7 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2–8°C or 36–46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Canton Chemistry Laboratory
Dearborn Chemistry Laboratory
Farmington Hills Chemistry Laboratory 
Grosse Pointe Chemistry Laboratory 
Livonia Main Laboratory
Lenox Main Laboratory
Royal Oak STAT Laboratory 
Troy Chemistry Laboratory
Taylor Chemistry Laboratory
Trenton Chemistry Laboratory
Wayne Chemistry Laboratory 

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
STAT results available within 1 hour of receipt in the Laboratory.
Routine results available within 24 hours. 

Reference Range

0.02–0.27 mmol/L.

Test Methodology

Enzymatic.

Interpretation

The three "ketone bodies" are beta-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate, and acetone. Although all three ketones are often present together, beta-hydroxybutyrate is not detected by the nitroprusside test used for "ketone" testing in urine, or "acetone" testing in serum or plasma. Therefore if it is clinically important to determine whether beta-hydroxybutyrate are present, specific testing is recommended.

Clinical Utility

This assay aids in the diagnosis and monitoring of therapy for diabetic ketoacidosis. This assay may also aid in the diagnosis of any patient presenting to the emergency room with documented hypoglycemia, acidosis, alcohol ingestion, or an unexplained increase in the anion gap and in the investigation of inborn errors of metabolism.

CPT Codes

82010, 6873-4

Contacts

Last Updated

3/23/2023